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My Doctor's appointment was for 9:45 this morning. I got in to see him around 9:55 We had quite a lengthy discussion today. On my last visit, the doctor suggested that I stop taking my Lipitor, to see if the muscle aches and cramps would settle down. I told him it took about two weeks, but after stopping the lipitor, a lot ( if not most ) of the aches had stopped, and that overall things were going pretty well.

I mentioned that fact that my little unwanted friends are coming back ( anal warts). So he asked me to pull down my pants, so he could take a look. He said, yep, you got some warts! So while I was lying on my side, he decided to do a Pap smear, So he got out the little brush that they use, and proceded to do his thing !

He also gave me the Hemocult card to get some stool specimen. For those not familiar, this card holds 3 different samples on it, Each sample should be taken at a different bowel movement. These samples then get mailed back to his office,( but I will just take them to his office, he's close by) in about 3 days.He will send them out at that point to the diagnostic lab.

He also wants me to get myself scheduled for a colonoscopy. It's time again. But before that happens, he referred me to a vascular Surgeon, to get these warts removed. So I need to get that appointment setup first.

I had mentioned to him that my bowel movements are not normal. I am not having them frequent enough. I have no problem with Diarrhea, or constipation, just not having regular bowel movements like I used to.

7 vials of blood were taken today. A little more than they normally draw. ( Also wanted to do another PSA test..)

Weight was 178 pounds today, about 2 pounds lighter than 3 months ago.I am not concerned about that. I told him my appetite is fine. I am a little more fatigued than usual, but I sleep soundly, and ususally sleep anywhere from 7 to 9 hours. I mentioned to him, that I was have some problems concentrating on things, and that sometines I just go blank in conversation.

Also mentioned to him, that I had my annual PPD test done last week at work. That test was negative. I am not having any problems with fever or sweats. Vision is ok , no headaches, but did mention that I am getting a stiff neck, that seems to be getting troublesome,.. also mentioned about the neuropathy in the hands an feet, that I thought it was getting a little more intense than my visit 3 months ago.

He also mentioned about the possibility of a Vitamin D deficiency. And I think he was going to test for that. I'll find out when the blood test results come back in 10 days or so. The fact that I work 11:00 pm to 7:00 am, hhhhmmmm. I am not in the sun for five days a week ! I have to watch myself outside, with my history of Basal cell and squamous cell, I've got to be careful !

Blood pressure was a little higher than normal 135/95. I never have a problem with blood pressure, so I'll be watching this. Don't know whats going on here !!

Anyway, that was my morning. Now I got to set up an appointment with the Vascular surgeon, and get that out of the way !

Assuredly your PAP smear (which frankly considering that you've been HIV+ for 25 years is quite overdue) will come back showing irregular cell structure. It's a no brainer for someone with a history of recurring anal warts. Regular monitoring by a colorectal doctor of the area directly inside the anus (as opposed to doing a colonoscopy) should show any areas of pre-cancerous dysplasia. Ray, the key here is locating such a specialist that is familiar enough with the frequency of such things in HIV+ patients.

Assuredly your PAP smear (which frankly considering that you've been HIV+ for 25 years is quite overdue) will come back showing irregular cell structure. It's a no brainer for someone with a history of recurring anal warts.

I'll be watching and waiting for those results to come in. I don't have a good feeling on this, But we'll see what happens.

Good luck with the blood work. Glad your doctors visit was a good one. How often do u get colonoscopys? Is there something they are looking for or checking progress on?

This will be the second colonoscopy that I will be having within 5 years. The first one they remove a polyp. the results of that were negative.

My group insurance at work has included colonoscopys, this year, as part of preventative measures. The company negotiated this for 2009. For the women, mammograms. I just got to get on the ball and get all this in motion. Unfortunately, I can sometimes be a procrastinator, when it comes to these issues.

I will also have to call Humana tomorrow, and get some more details as to who to see.., and who's in the network. The provider directory is forever changing, so it's best to speak with someone live on this. I'll speak with my Humana nurse. She's pretty good at looking into these things, and helping me to get things sorted out.

One good thing, we're surrounded by medical complexes, and outpatient services in this area. All within a few blocks. It's just getting everything scheduled, and then the possibility of having to take some time off from work. ( that shouldn't be a any problem).

Try getting high blood pressure at the age of 40 and get back to me. My doctor said it had always before that been at the very high end of "normal" so once it went over he put me on something for it. I'd say 75% of the people in my LTS support group have high blood pressure, so it's not unusual. I know in my case it's not age or anything, and my diet is good -- in fact people make fun of me for cooking with not much salt, which I've just always done for taste and not for health. I've never been overweight, if anything too skinny, and I walk everywhere and climb four flights of stairs to my apartment. Nor does it run on my family really -- only one of my parents have it and my mother didn't get it until the age of 71 which isn't unusual.

So at the point that I encountered this I'd been on HIV meds for 13 years I guess. First I was put on hydrochlorothiazide, a common generic diuretic. I don't know if it's a common side effect but I was very wiped out on this the first month and had to nap a lot -- and it requires constant urination. I'd go to the movies and have to get up 3 times. This still didn't control my bp so they added Diovan, so the two things combined worked. After my numbers got back in normal range I requested that I get off hydrochlorothiazide because of the urination issue, and Diovan by itself has kept my numbers fine now for 4 years.

Just set up the appointment with the General surgery/vascular surgery doctor. Have it set up for Friday April 24th at 2:15PM. This works out pretty well. I get off work at 7:00 Am that morning, I"ll be able to rest a little before going in, and I will have the weekend off to recouperate.

He's in the Humana network, so thats good, I told her that I had problems in the rectal area. Before I even began to explain, She said "Warts" I said "yes" She's familar with my ID doctor as he refers patients to him.

Well, Appointment day is here ! My appointment with the Butcher, I mean the Surgeon, is scheduled for 2:15, a little over an hour from now. ( got to try to have a sense of humor)

Going to get the anal warts removed today. At least I hope he's going to remove them today. I hope it's not to much of a slice and dice !

Wish me well, I'll let you all know how it went when I get back, depending on whether I can sit comfortably at the the computer, or if I would just rather go to bed.

I did manage to get about 4 hours of sleep, after coming home from work at 7:00 this morning, so I'm revved up and ready to get this over with. I need to go top the drugstore and get one of those donut things to sit on, just in case !

I have a side job tomorrow morning at 9:00AM, which will require me to be sitting at a computer for about 3 hours. I may have to cancel ...

No surgery today !! I kind of expected that, but was hoping otherwise. I met with the surgeon at 2:30 and we had about a 40 minute discussion and another exam.

So now, he's got me scheduled, for the pretesting appointment on May 5th at 2:00Pm ( which is a Tuesday, which also means I am going to have to take that night off.

The surgery is scheduled for Friday, May 8th at 9:00 at a hospital here in Dunedin, Fl. I have to be there by 7:30 AM. My first choice( at another hospital closer by) was already booked, at those times.The hospital in Dunedin is only 5 miles away. The one I would have liked to have gone to was about 3 miles away. Oh well ! If I wanted the one closer, I would have had to postpone for another week.

I already have the 10th and the 11th of May off, ( scheduled this off a few weeks ago), so I am also going to take that Tuesday the 5th, Wednesday 6th and Thursday the 7th off. I need to start cleaning my bowels out on the 7th. No food or drink after midnight on May 7th.

I shouldn't have any problem arranging any additional time off. I will normally be off on the 8th and the 9th.

I just hope that that the three days following the surgery will be enough time to recoup, before returning back to work, on the 12th.

On another note, I was expecting my results from my blood tests last week, but they still haven't arrived in the mail yet. Probably get those results in the mail on Saturday.

Just got off the phone with the hospital. Just verifying all the info, and the schedule date of May 8th. She said it may be closer to 10:00 Am before surgery. So everythings a go. My boss called me at work last night to confirm the additional two days off !

The hospital callled again today , to tell me what my "out of pocket" expenses, for the wart removal will be this coming Friday. They are estimated at $2,007.51 !! OUCH !! Didn't expect it to be this high !

EDITED: Just dropped about $700.00 to 2,007.51 Didn't hear the message correctly. Initiallly I thought she said 2,700.00

It was a long day today, and I'm pooped !! I thought I could catch a few hours of sleep, after getting home from work this morning at 7:00, but I was too wound up. So, I ended up staying awake, until my pretesting appointment at 2:00pm.

Overall everything went well. All the nurses, the doctor, and staff were all very professional and quite efficient. We spent about 2 hours at the hospital, finalizing everything for the condyloma removal this Friday at 9:00am.

I have to be at the hospital by 6:30 Friday morning. I will have my big lunch ( and final meal, prior to surgery) on Thursday around 11:00 am. And somewhere around 3:00pm I take some stuff to clean me out. I can drink plenty of water on Thursday ( it suggested that I do) but no water after midnight on Thursday.

All my vitals were checked, and everything was fine. Blood pressure was great, pulse was good, temp normal. Oxygen levels were at 92. Plenty of health questions were asked.

They gave me an EKG ( Since I haven't had one in over a year.) The EKG came out great. The nurse that gave me the EKG , was kind of freaked out, when I took off my shirt, she saw all the hair on my body. All she could say was "this is going to hurt, I'm so sorry," when pulling those stickies off me. She had to use additional tape to hold them down !! I just laughed and said no pain no gain ! I then spoke with a woman from the finance office, then signed a bunch of papers.

Then I spoke with the anesthesiologist. I told him that I take my antivirals at 8:00am and 8:00Pm. He said to go ahead and take them with as little water as possible around 7:00. That's 2 hours before surgery. Didn't see any problem with me taking them, at that time. He asked me how I wanted to be put under. They offered two choices (1) numbing me from the waist down, but I am awake, or (2) being put to sleep. I said "put me to sleep" . I don't want to be wide awake with people playing around with my ass, listening to all that conversation !

I think what hurts the most, was writing a check for $2,007.51. It going to go beyond that. This is only covering the Hospital cost. My deductible was $ 1,000.00 . I am still going to have to pay 30% of the charges for the anesthesiologist and 30%for the Surgeon. My insurance pays 70% of those charges, but the 2,007.51 had to be paid up front !!

Let me just say something here: ANAL WARTS ARE EXPENSIVE AS ALL HELL The finance manager estimated that the total charge for this procedure, could be around $10,000 dollars. YIKES!! I am responsible up to $4,000.00, after that, everything is covered. Does that $10,000 sound right people, for this type of procedure?

I am glad I brought Ed with me, because my head was just spinning around, trying to figure this all out ! I thought that 2009, was going to be an expensive year, and it's starting out that way !!

On another note :

I received my blood tests today in the mail. The results of those are:

CD-4 295 ---- WAS 331 ON 1/15/09 (DECREASE)

CD4% IS 13 WAS 11% ON 1/15/09 ( INCREASE)

Viral Load <48 was less than 48 on 1/15/09 ( NO CHANGE)

CBC, chemical profile and Amylase are all OK

Total Cholesterol is at 255 was at 180 on 1/15/09 ( BIG INCREASE)

LDL(BAD CHOLESTEROL)-- 169 was at 118 on 1/15/09 ( BIG INCREASE)

HDL (GOOD CHOLESTEROL) 55 WAS 42 on 1/15/09

Triglycerides --154 WAS 101 on 1/15/09

I have not taken any Lipitor since 1/15/09, so it looks as though I am going to have to start again.

PSA test was once again 1.1 (GOOD)

The Pap Smear came out good, nothing abnormal, but we're going to continue regularly monitoring.

The doctor wanted to check my Vitamin D levels, when I went for my last blood test on 4/14/09, And sure enough, They were low. So he phoned in a prescription to the pharmacy for VITAMIN D 50000IU. I am supposed to take one capsule by mouth once a week, for four weeks, and then take one capsule per month. I'll get started back on the Lipitor and the Vitamin D, after surgery this Friday.

Ray, is that for wart removal with possible colon resection? That does sound high. Good luck to you.

I don't believe so Rodney. The consent form only states: Fulgeration of anal and perianal condyloma"Does seem kind of high. For that kind of money, they should throw in a nip and tuck, and butt lift !

I"m going to recalculate the charges, and the deductable, but I am also going to have to wait until I receive the billing from the Anesthesiologist and the surgeon. Plus, I will get more detailed info, later on from the Humana site.

I don't believe so Rodney. The consent form only states: Fulgeration of anal and perianal condyloma"Does seem kind of high. For that kind of money, they should throw in a nip and tuck, and butt lift !

I"m going to recalculate the charges, and the deductable, but I am also going to have to wait until I receive the billing from the Anesthesiologist and the surgeon. Plus, I will get more detailed info, later on from the Humana site.

Ray

ROFL, well you take care of yourself and I hope they give you pain cream, a lot of pain cream. Hell ask for a morphine pump to take home..

I just got off the phone with Colonial supplemental insurance. I keep forgetting that I have this, I pay $16.85 bi-monthy for this through my payroll check. I have never used it before. I thought I would call, to see if I am qualified for any kind of claim benefit.

Anyway, I spoke with a representative, and explained all the details, of what I will be going through tomorrow, and what I have spent thus far. She said I am covered up to $1,000.00 toward all this !

She is mailing me a claims form today, that I complete, and send back with the hospital billing form ETC.

First , I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and words. The surgery was a success !

Ed and I left for the hospital at 6:15 this morning , and got there at 6:30. I followed the map they gave me,( to get around the hospital) and got to the nurses station with no problem. After, checking in, the nurse brought out a stretcher and directed both of us to the surgery waiting room. She then ask me to take off all my clothes, put on the hospital robe, and go ahead and lay down, and take it easy. She then took my temp, pulse, blood pressure listened to my lungs. Everything was fine ! Ed was present during all of this.

The nurse then brought in the roll-around computer, which refused to work right, so she went and got another one. She then proceeded to ask a few more questions, I gave a copy on my Surrogate for health care affairs, so she could place in my files just in case of some enexpected emergency.

At 8:45am A studly-hunk guy came into the room and asked me If I was ready. I said Oh yeah !

He then rolled me into the pre-op area, I answered a few more questions, and I met with the surgeon. He also ask me if there was anything that I needed to know or ask, before proceeding. I asked if biopsies were going to be taken , of any removed material, as I am concerned about any abnormal cells, because of the HPV. He said yes. That was about the only question I had asked.

He said I can go back to regular diet, when I get home, Also suggested I take a stool softener, for a while.

There were two nurses on duty, And around 9:05 she ask me If was ready to get things rolling. I said "Lets go !!

She then proceeded to place an IV onto my left wrist, And started off with some pain medication, I think at this time she also injected an antibiotic into the IV. The antibiotic was Cefazolin 1gm IV dose X 1 dose.

The studly young guy came back, and rolled me into the operating room. The last thing I remember, was was shifting myself from the stretcher/bed, on to the operating table.

I was then asleep.......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

and some more zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The next thing I knew two nurses were hovering over me, and asking me how I felt. I said I feel really great !! Approximately, one hour had passed, since I shifted myself to the operating table.

I stayed in the recovery room, for about 45minute( maybe a little less), at that time they rolled me out again into another room, where they called Ed, ( on a hospital cell phone that the provided.)

I still had the IV on the wrist. The stuff in the bottle was "Lactated ringers Solution" Have no idea what that is.

Ed came into the room just a couple minutes later. They still had me wired up, an checking my blood pressure.

at 11:20 BP was 141/88 , then followed by 156/98, then 149 /96. Finally it got down to normal.

I was thirsty, so the nurse gave me some ice chips , and then asked me, if I wanted something to drink. So I go myself a big glass of Cranberry juice, after that glass, I had one more.

I then said I had to go take a leak, she brought the IV bottle to the bathroom and I took a very nice long leak !

She then asked me If I was ready to go home, and I said "sure" blood pressure was all back to normal. and I was feeling pretty good

She handed me a paper stating what I can, and can't do for the next couple of days.

My backside is to be kept dry and bandaged until Sunday, at which time I can then remove the bandage and shower. there is quite a hefty bandage, running down the crack of my butt, covered by a pair of meshed undie type thingies. I said, "what happens if I have to take a bowel movement?" I am to remove the bandage and proceed with the bowel movement ( hopefully without exerting to much effort.) and not to wipe. I'll find a way to do things delicately down there.

I was told to make a follow up appointed with the surgeon ( at his office) next Friday. So I will do that on Monday. If there is any kind of excessive bleeding or discomfort,I am to go to the emergency room.

They wrote me a prescription for Percocet. I filled it with the generic Oxycodone ( 5mg-325mg) There's 30 pills . One every 4 hours as necessary for pain.

It is now just about 3:30 in the afternoon, and I haven't needed one yet. And I am still feeling quite comfortable, and have no problem sitting. I am well padded ! I think I am still under the effect of the pain medication that was given at the hospital.

The hospital will call in a few days, for some follow up questions, to make sure I'm OK.

Ed and I went out to eat. Ed's already napping ( poor guy, between his mother and myself this past week, he's just plain worn out.

I just noticed my throat seems a little raw ( from the tube they inserted) But not too bad.

Overall, I am very pleased with the care I received today. Everyone was right on the ball, and professional !!

So Ray the other policy you had might take up some of the slack from out of pocket?Scooter

Hopefully so !! The woman supposedly mailed the form on Thursday. Will probably be here next week some time. She told me I could download it from their site, but But asked her to go ahead and mail it.

I slept very well last night. Still no need for any pain pills. And I feel as thought I am ready to take my first bowel movement. Already had a look under the bandage. There was very little blood under the bandage, and everything he said he was going to remove is gone !!

I just got off the phone with Colonial supplemental insurance. I keep forgetting that I have this, I pay $16.85 bi-monthy for this through my payroll check. I have never used it before. I thought I would call, to see if I am qualified for any kind of claim benefit.

Ray

I received the claims form in the mail today. Jezus H,....I hate filling out forms. But there is nothing I can really do now, until I get the final bills bills from the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. I think those bills should arrive quite fast. The surgeon also has a portion of this form to fill out. I also have to go back to the hospital and get a copy of the itemized billing. ( this is th $2,007.51) i already paid.

I made the appointment today with the surgeon. I will see him Friday at 2:00pm for the follow up visit.

I never needed the pain medication, But I am not going to toss it either !! There is only very slight bleeding, but nothing to be concerned about. Still waiting to take a big ole bowel movement ! It's been three days so far. I've kept my diet very light. But I am glad it's taken a little longer, for the Bm,... give things a chance to heal a little.

Otherwise, doing fine. I go back to work Tuesday night, so it will be a short 3 day week.

Yes, I wish I would have now !! Not to be too graphic, but I think, I took the longest crap I ever took. And Just when I thought it was over another large crap came out. And it all hurt !!

I don't know how that all fit up in me, But I managed to plug the toilet !! Had the plunger close by, so there was no overflow !! After I looked at it, I realized it was not going to go down easy !

Also Had a little more bleeding than usual, so I put some more gauge padding around the site, with some antibiotic ointment. I am quite swollen right at the opening !! The surgeon said he may go inside by about an inch. I 'LL find out Friday.

If things are still bothering you when you see the doc rather than just using gauze & tape you might want to ask him about DuoDerm Extra Thin. It's used to cover wounds that are prone to get wet. A couple of years ago when I was real sick and in the hospital they used them on me when I developed a big sore down there.

I don't know what they cost (I wouldn't think that much but these days you never know) or if they are covered by insurance but if you need/want them and they are expensive send me a PM as I know I have bunch just laying around the house and I could mail them to you.

Get better soon!!AA

Logged

It is not the arrival that matters. It is the journey along the way. -- Michel Montaigne

I don't know what they cost (I wouldn't think that much but these days you never know) or if they are covered by insurance but if you need/want them and they are expensive send me a PM as I know I have bunch just laying around the house and I could mail them to you.

Get better soon!!AA

Hey Andy,

Thanks! I appreciate it, I am doing pretty good though. It's amazing the difference a day makes. I see no more external type bleeding. And just the minimal, after a BM, but it's so slight. I have my appointment tomorrow at 2:00 , so we'll see how the follow up goes !!

Had the follow up with the surgeon a couple hours ago. He looked me over, and said , everything was looking very good and healing well.

Told me to schedule for 6 months down the road for another examination. If there is anything at that point that needs removing, he can do that in his office. I forgot to ask him about any biopsy results, so I"ll call his office tomorrow, and see if there is any news there !

Ray we are going to buy you a Pad to write these things down.Just kidding I can have it written in my cell phone and I allways forgeting things when in doctors office.I walk into the doctor office and have a Brain Fart.I am glad things are going well.Scooter